"What Is the Essence of Good Cars?"
"Emphasizing car-making in harmony with society and the earth's environment"

Remarks:

The number of visitors exceeded two million despite economic recession and stagnating car sales. Reflecting the rising interest in environmental issues, compact cars were the focus of attention at this show.

Toyota demonstrated its unflagging commitment to people-friendly car-making for the 21st century that harmonized with society and the earth's environment.
In the passenger car corner, Toyota presented such show cars as the AVX-III, a "gentle" sedan that reflected considerations for safety, comfort, and the environment in a highly balanced manner, and the compact and lightweight AVX-IV personal commuter.
Toyota also showcased five commercial-use vehicles, including the high-spec Ambulance equipped with the latest emergency medical devices, the stylish Fun Runner sport utility vehicle, and the Hiace Limo.
At the technical exhibition corner, Toyota presented the fruits of its environment-friendly R&D projects, including a high-pressure fuel injection diesel engine and an exhaust cleaning system (particulate trapping system).
Furthermore, Toyota demonstrated its focus on environmental protection by showcasing alternative energy vehicles, including the Townace EV electric vehicle that combined a highly efficient motor with practical lead-acid batteries, and the RaRa II solar car with high-performance batteries that could cover long distances even in wet conditions.

"For Greater Harmony"
"Proposing car-making that harmonizes people with society and the earth"

Remarks:

Japanese car manufacturers competed to showcase near production-ready concept cars that were focused on safety and environment, making the 30th show a technologically noteworthy, fruitful event.

Toyota emphasized its stance of making cars coexist more harmoniously with people, society, and the earth, under the theme, "For greater harmony."
To drive this message home, Toyota exhibited a number of show cars that embodied its futuristic proposals. For example, the next-generation AXV-V tourer incorporated many of Toyota's state-of-the-art technologies to make the inter-city traffic more harmonious with people and the environment, pointing to new potentials of automobiles that technologies might yet uncover.
At the technical exhibition corner, Toyota demonstrated how it was working to secure safety and to protect the environment -- efforts that Toyota considers essential to its product development.

Safety-related exhibits included not only the technologies adopted in production cars but also safety systems that were being developed. Regarding the environment issues, Toyota demonstrated its diverse approaches to environmental protection, including emission control as well as conservation of energy and resources. Toyota also presented its vision of building a comprehensive transport system based on the network of intelligent cars and intelligent traffic infrastructures.

"A Touch of Happiness: Cars that Create New Joys"
"Demonstrating the potential of cars to make people feel happy"

Remarks:

The show became even more spectacular than before, thanks not only to the efforts of the exhibitors but also to improved event management, including the relaxation of exhibition rules.

As part of its concrete vision for the future, Toyota exhibited many unique and innovative cars designed to make people feel happier by maintaining a harmonious balance between people, society, and the earth.
The Prius, introduced at this show as the earth-friendly next-generation sedan that would bring comfort and happiness to people, gave visitors a glimpse of tomorrow's car. The open-top midship sports car MRJ was also unveiled, attracting keen attention from experienced drivers and car enthusiasts who visited the show.
As part of its "Forest of Toyota" project for conserving and growing forests, Toyota exhibited the Moguls, an experimental vehicle specifically designed to help tree planting and forest management. By displaying this vehicle, Toyota demonstrated its proactive efforts to conserve the environment.
At the technical exhibition corner, Toyota presented an outline of the innovative Intelligent Transport System (ITS), which was being studied and developed through an industry-government-academia partnership. Toyota also demonstrated the progress of its hybrid technology by exhibiting the Coaster Hybrid EV at the booth of the Japan Electric Vehicle Association.

"Action for Tomorrow"
"Presenting the Prius, world's first production hybrid car"

Remarks:

After the 32nd event, the show was to be held separately for passenger cars and commercial-use vehicles. Although it was the last show in the old format, many new ideas to entertain visitors were introduced, including the corner entitled "Cars Featured in Memorable Movies."

Toyota emphasized its innovative and people-friendly approach to car-making for the 21st century that harmonized with society and the earth's environment.
To demonstrate its commitment to developing the ultimate eco-car, Toyota exhibited such vehicles as the world's first production hybrid car Prius, the E-COM electric commuter for two passengers, and the electric vehicle FCEV equipped with ethanol-based fuel cells.

Scenes from venues

1997 Frankfurt Motor Show

Venue:

Messe Frankfurt

Period:

Sep. 9-21

Toyota exhibits:

FCHV, etc.

Remarks:

The hydrogen-powered FCHV (Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle) was unveiled for the first time in the world, demonstrating Toyota's commitment to CO2 reduction and conservation of the earth's environment.

"See the Future in Our Cars"
"Demonstrating how fun cars can be, and emphasizing Toyota's future-proof approach to development"

Remarks:

From this year on, the show alternately featured passenger cars (and motorcycles) in one year, and commercial-use vehicles in another. In the first show dedicated to passenger cars and motorcycles, visitors' attention was drawn to the environmental technologies presented by diverse exhibitors.

Toyota demonstrated the unlimited joy that cars could offer people, and emphasized its proactive commitment to the environment, safety, and the ITS (Intelligent Transport System).
Toyota's show cars included the mid-sized minivan HV-M4 with a newly developed hybrid system, the medium-sized Opa that featured a new design concept, and the playful WiLL Vi 4-door personal vehicle. At the same time, the Lexus Sports Coupe (SC) metal-top luxury convertible was exhibited as the first Lexus brand car in Japan.
At the technical exhibition corner, fuel cell car components and the newly developed THS-C+E-Four hybrid system were displayed. In addition, the presentation of the progress of the ITS, together with the vision of mobile society that it would enable, demonstrated Toyota's unique and diverse approach to the future.

WiLL Vi

2000

The 34th Tokyo Motor Show (for commercial-use vehicles)

Theme:

"Vehicle of Character Across the World, Building Our Future"

Venue:

Makuhari Messe (Nippon Convention Center)

Period:

Oct. 31-Nov. 4

No. of visitors:

1,770,900

No. of exhibitors:

133

Toyota exhibits:

Kluger V, Land Cruiser, Hilux Sports Pickup, VF130, etc.

Toyota's theme:

"Transportation of Goods and People in the 21st Century"
"Joint presentation by Toyota, Hino, and Daihatsu demonstrated solidarity of the group"

Remarks:

As the first show dedicated to commercial-use vehicles, the event featured a special symposium on IT and logistics, as well as other content focused on issues of transportation of goods and people.

Toyota, Hino, and Daihatsu -- three companies that manufacture a full range of commercial-use vehicles ranging from small pickups to large trucks and buses -- jointly demonstrated their approaches to the environment, the ITS, and welfare.
The three companies perceived the entire show as a forum for thinking about the relationship between commercial-use vehicles and personal/industrial activities. From the viewpoint of the environment, the companies presented advanced technologies including a hybrid system and DPNR (Diesel Particulate-NOx Reduction) common rail diesel engines. With regard to welfare, wheelchair-enabled and caregiver-friendly Welcabs were exhibited. The group companies also presented new IT-based ways of transporting goods and people in the 21st century, including a truck with advanced safety technologies and the next-generation transport management system based on the ITS technology. Toyota also presented a demonstration of the next-generation bus system called the IMTS (Intelligent Multi-mode Transit System), setting up a model bus stop at the venue.
Among the show cars exhibited, the Kluger V luxury sport wagon attracted particular attention from visitors.